Yokohama A048R tyres… when did they become A048?

[cyberface]

Am I going utterly mad?

I've had a few sets of Yokohama stickies on my Lotuses, and years back on a 205 trackday special. They've always, as far as I can remember, been called 'A048-R' or 'A048R' tyres.

And I'm damn sure I remember that this is what was written on the sidewalls. A048-R. With an 'R'.

I've just had a new set fitted to my Exige by Lipscomb… my new car was supplied with Yokos (as usual) but I wasn't going to take delivery in snowy December on those things so Lipscomb kindly took the Yokohamas off, bunged on my Pirelli winter tyres, and held on to my stickies for summer. There was a huge delay as I eventually found some 240R wheels, and Lipscomb managed to lose my tyres, but while we try to find them, I had a fresh set fitted (as I've got a trackday next week!).

Checking over the tyres, they look the same… but the 'R' is missing! Now the tyres only have 'A048' on the sidewalls. Yes, they're Lotus spec (LTS on the sidewalls) and absolutely eye-wateringly expensive (the trackday and the subsequent South of France road trip will eat them - need to factor £750 into the holiday spreadsheet now! And maybe switch to Toyos once I've eaten the Yokos).

But I'm *absolutely* sure the old tyres were called 'A048-R' - the new ones are just 'A048'. Is anyone aware of any differences - compound temperature range, for example, or wear rate? Tread pattern appears identical.


Or am I just losing it, as usual? I'm a bit wary of losing 'R's - especially from Japanese motoring products. Hell, what would the legendary Integra be if it was just 'Integra Type '? And the Fireblade would be a CB900 or CB1000 depending on age. Nissan's monster would just be a GT- (minus? I'd prefer a GT+ myself)

Just a branding swap (I guess Yokohama save a bit of money not printing the extra 'R' - but the tyres are so damn expensive that this shouldn't matter) or is there a real change?

[RonnieP]

AO48's have many different compounds - do they have LTS on them? - Some insurance companies insist on on Lotus cars that only LTS designated compound tyres are used.

[S Works]

SELOC Techwiki doesn't mention any R, just the LTS markings.

So Lipscomb have lost your tyres heh? That's interesting. Have you seen the post on SELOC about their other customer service challenges?

[Scuffers]

RonnieP said:

AO48's have many different compounds - do they have LTS on them? - Some insurance companies insist on on Lotus cars that only LTS designated compound tyres are used.

they can insist all they like, but they don't have a leg to stand on.

as long as you fit tyres with adequate speed and load ratings, and are sized to match the car/rimms they would not have a leg to stand on.

[dom180]

Check the date of manufacture on the sidewall and see when they were made?

(Lotus used to refer to them as AO48 in various Exige brochures - I see the latest Lotus Sport brochures refer to them as AO48-R.)

[cyberface]

S Works said:

SELOC Techwiki doesn't mention any R, just the LTS markings.

So Lipscomb have lost your tyres heh? That's interesting. Have you seen the post on SELOC about their other customer service challenges?

Fair enough, must be going mad about the R then

As to Lipscomb, I've never had anything other than perfect customer service from them. Over and above expectations, in fact, in all cases. I haven't been on SELOC recently but have heard about the post and it's one of the reasons I tend to avoid SELOC and stay here - there are too many witchhunts and unrequired dogpiling which gets out of hand. Scuffers will probably agree with me...